LSS renames food pantry to honor Jan Jirousek and Del Webb community's remarkable support of the feeding program
- Danae Leake
- Dec 28, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2023
On Thursday, December 28th, Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS) unveiled a dedication wall honoring Janet “Jan” Morton Jirousek and the incredible Del Webb community for their unwavering support of the LSS Food Pantry. The unveiling took place at the LSS Food Pantry, 4615 Philips Highway, and marked a milestone in recognizing the efforts and selfless contributions of these individuals.
So far, the Del Webb community has donated over 114,000 pounds of food through more than 300 car trips, alongside $60,000 in cash donations to LSS. Thanks to these generous contributions, nearly 19,000 families have been nourished during difficult times.
Jan embarked on this journey with a deep-rooted commitment to serving her community, a trait instilled by her father, Richard Wayne Morton. Her passion for giving back found a new purpose when COVID-19 struck in March 2020. Jan and her husband, Dale Jirousek, organized a food drive in her Del Webb Ponte Vedra neighborhood and selected LSS as the beneficiary.
What began as a singular effort soon transformed into a collective movement. Jan rallied her neighbors, inspiring them to contribute in various ways, from donating funds to sourcing fresh produce directly from local farmers.
Her expertise as a retired nurse practitioner became invaluable as she trained volunteers to handle and package essential items like rice and beans, ensuring safe distribution to families in need.
The ripple effect of Jan's actions expanded beyond Del Webb Ponte Vedra, encompassing neighboring communities like Del Webb Nocatee.
In Jan’s own words, "Acts of kindness can snowball. We just started with one load of food, and it's blossomed." Her dedication to serving others created a chain reaction of goodwill, proving that a single act can spark a community-wide movement of compassion and support.
In 2020, News4Jax recognized Jan and Dale with the Positively Jax service award.
The unveiling ceremony was a testament to the immense gratitude felt towards Jan, Dale, and the Nocatee community. It was a moment to toast their unwavering dedication, acknowledging their pivotal role in making a difference in the lives of many individuals and families.
This is such a heartwarming example of how one person’s initiative can grow into something much bigger. Jan Jirousek and the Del Webb community’s contribution of over 114,000 pounds of food and $60,000 in donations shows what consistent compassion and teamwork can accomplish for families facing difficult times. I also appreciate how the story highlights that even small acts can create a lasting ripple effect. For students balancing busy schedules, finding support with responsibilities through resources like Take my class online can also help create more time to stay involved in meaningful community efforts. Truly inspiring work by everyone involved!
What an inspiring example of how one person's kindness can bring an entire community together. The dedication to helping families through the food pantry is truly commendable. Sometimes, when I get bored, I jokingly say, "Pay For Online class Help," then get back to reading stories like this that remind me how much of a difference compassion and teamwork can make. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved recognition.
This is a heartwarming example of how one person’s commitment can inspire an entire community to make a difference. Jan Jirousek and the Del Webb community’s dedication shows the powerful impact of kindness, teamwork, and consistent support for those in need. I came across this while taking a break from working on MyEconLab Answers, and it was meaningful to read about a community effort built on compassion and generosity.
This is a wonderful example of how one person's compassion can inspire an entire community. Jan Jirousek and the Del Webb community have made an incredible impact through their generosity and dedication. Stories like this also highlight the importance of preserving and sharing community initiatives. Audio Annotation Services can play a valuable role in making interviews, event recordings, and community stories more accessible, searchable, and useful for future outreach and documentation. Truly inspiring work by everyone involved!
This is such an inspiring example of how one person's kindness can grow into a community-wide effort. The impact of Jan Jirousek and the Del Webb community—donating over 114,000 pounds of food and helping thousands of families—is truly remarkable. Stories like this remind us that meaningful support, whether it's volunteering, donating, or even finding ways to manage personal responsibilities through services like Take My Online Class, can give people more time to contribute to causes that make a real difference. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming story of compassion and community.